Whip finisher



Nov. i11, 1958 M. E. wHlTLlNGl-:R

WHIP FINISHER Filed Feb. 6,

t INVENTOR. MeZvmEV/kit United Statesl Patent O WHIP FINISHER Melvin E.Whtlinger, Seattle, Wash.

Application February 6, 1957, Serial No. 633,590

2 Claims. (Cl. 289-17) This invention relates to tools for completingknots and more particularly to a whip finisher for tying articialfishing flies.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand tool that isdesigned to complete the knot that forms the head of hand tiedartificial flies, wherein the knots are self securing and do not requirethe use of cement to secure the knot.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hand whipfinishing tool of the above type wherein the tension of the thread usedto tie artificial fishing fiies is automatically controlled and thenumber of turns made with the tool automatically determines the numberof wraps over the loose end of the thread.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a hand tool bearing theabove objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimumnumber of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efficient inoperation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention,reference may be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a whip finisher tool made inaccordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the toolshown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view taken along line3 3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view taken along line4 4 of Figure 2.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing and more particularly toFigure 2 thereof, a whip finishing tool made in accordance with thepresent invention is shown to include a main body portion having acentrally disposed longitudinal bore 11 that is closed at one end bymeans of a removable top closure 12. The opposite end of the body 10 isadapted to threadingly receive a hollow ferrule 13 to which a thinelongated shank 15 is secured. This shank 15 is provided with alongitudinally extending groove 16 that communicates with thelongitudinal bore 18 of the ferrule 13 and the longitudinal bore 11 ofthe main body portion 10.

A tension hook 20 having a rearwardly extending rod 21, is slidablyreceived within the groove 16 and is secured against rotation about thelongitudinal axis of the shank 15 by means of the engagement of theattached rod 21 within the groove. An annular guide 22 guides the hook20 for slidable longitudinal movement upon the shank 15 and prevents theparts from binding. A tension spring 23 is disposed within the bore 11of the main body and has one end secured to the hook 24 at the inner endof the rod 21. The opposite end of the spring is secured to a similarhook 25 secured to the closure member 12. An oval orpalette shapedhackle guard 27 is secured to the outer end of a thin pin 28 thatextends outwardly from the shank 15. This hackle guard includes a curvedintegral winding hook 30 that is in substantial alignment with thetension hook 20.

In use, the tool, is held with the tension and winding hooks pointingupwardly. The thread is hooked over the tension hook 20 and thenthreaded with the winding hook 30 which is held close to the eye of thefish hook that is to be wrapped. The thread is then held along the sideof the fish hook with the left hand and by twisting the tool slightly ina clockwise direction, the winding hook is placed against the fish hookand by continuing the twisting motion, any desired number of wraps maybe placed over the thread. In order to tighten the wraps, pressure maybe applied to the thread by initially applying pressure to the tensionspring before the wraps are started. By maintaining a constant pressureupon the tool, the tension hook 20 will move slowly from its normalposition to an extended position 20a as the wraps are applied to thehook. Therefore, control must be exercised to allow sufficient springtravel to complete the desired number of wraps. A tool may be dislodgedfrom the thread by turning the tool in a counter clockwise direction andat the same time prying the winding hook out of engagement with thethread. The thread may then be pulled toward and cut close to the wrapsto finish the knot.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shallbe understood that such changes shall be Within the spiritand scope ofthe present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

l. A whip finisher tool for completing a knot forming a head of amanually tied artificial shing lure comprising, in combination, a mainbody portion, a shank extending outwardly from one forward end of saidmain portion, a thread tension hook adjustably supported upon saidshank, a hackle guard secured to the outer extremity of said shank, awinding hook secured to a side of said hackle guard, said shankincluding a longitudinally extending. groove, said tension hookincluding a rod slidably supported within said groove, and having avportion extending radially outwardly therefrom securing said tensionhook against rotation of the longitudinal axis of said shank, and atension spring Within said main body portion connected at one end tosaid hook and at the opposite end to the opposite rear end of said mainbody portion normally biasing said tension hook rearwardly in adirection away from said winding hook.

2. The combination according to claim l, wherein said main body includesa central longitudinal bore and said tension spring is disposed withinsaid bore, one end of said spring being connected to said rod and theopposite end of said spring being connected to said main body.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 465,894Stone Dec. 29, 1891 2,601,605 Fulvio .Tune 24, 1952 2,734,299 MassonFeb. 14, 1956

